The volatile relationship of Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor is explored
in a forthcoming BBC Four drama, starring Dominic West and Helena Bonham
Carter.

The first trailer for BBC Four's forthcoming drama Burton and Taylor has been released. Dominic West and Helena Bonham Carter star in the TV biopic, which depicts cracks in the couple's relationship during their ill-fated run on Broadway together.

The production of Noel Coward's Private Lives was the first and only time Burton and Taylor appeared together on stage and was highly anticipated. However, the short run received poor reviews and came in the midst of a difficult period for the couple, who had divorced for the second time a few years earlier – Burton was recovering from back surgery and Taylor from a car crash in Israel. The following year, Burton died suddenly from a brain haemorrhage.

The 90-minute film follows Liz & Dick, an American TV movie which starred Lindsay Lohan and Grant Bowler as the Hollywood couple which was released earlier this year and received lukewarm reviews.

Burton and Taylor will air on BBC Four on 22 July, and later on BBC America.